How to Live with Less

PHOTO Credits to the owner

Artsy 4 💕

Artsy 3 💕

Consumerism and Money Management

The year is about to end. Honestly as I look back at my spending habits for the last 10 years that I am here in the Middle East there were so many regrets. But then I have to stop that feeling and look at the brighter side. The good side is at least I was able to wake up from whatever wrong things that I was doing. And finally have the will power to really change and turn my back from the mistakes that I had been doing before. The last 6 months especially the last quarter of the year has been a big leap for me. I had been thinking a lot about minimalism or downsizing whatever I own but never really gotten around into doing it. But middle of the year I was able to start baby steps toward it. And each passing month the intensity towards my goal keeps on shooting up.

Make Up - Last purchased was August and I meant to hand them down all to my sister. I will just try them once then move on. So 4 months of no buy is already a big deal. I admit purchasing a make up base but it was not hoarding as it was only one piece. So I can still say that it is a major changed compared before that I would buy a lot even though I do not know when I will be using them.

Skin Care Products - I still buy and will still buy but then again the difference is not hoarding anymore. And even if I buy products I am immediately using them. Like this month I purchased 2 serums from The Face Shop and I am using them religiously. Unlike before that I would purchase a skin care product then keep it in the drawer until I finally forget about them and do the same cycle next time around. The cycle has been broken.

Clothes - Last purchase was in August when I was in Turkey. I made the purchase because I gained weight and most of my old clothes does not fit me anymore. So again I'd like to congratulate myself. 4 months of no buy ban. I will still buy every once in a while. But it will be if I will have a new clothing an old clothing has to go. I will not need to buy anything in 2017 as long as my weight will stay the same. 

Shoes - I am planning to buy new pairs but for the reason that I have to toss out the old ones. I am crazy about leather shoes but my mistake was all the leather shoes I own are brown. And I suck at cleaning them up. So I can't wait to change them all into black. I do not know when will I make the purchase as I am waiting for the sale. But the thing is I do not hoard anymore. I am the girl who used to have a dozen high heels in different colors. And using each pair only once a month. I am not the girl with 2 pairs of black shoes that I am using alternately 5 days a week. It is now about buying what I need and not just what I merely wants.

Sending Money - Finally I do not need to send money back home like I used to do. It is a long story but I have done my part for the family and now it is about time to think about myself and my future. I want to see the world. But I do not know how to do it as I lack finances. So what I will do is to visit at least 2 or 3 places next year. Then after visiting those places focus on changing job or country. A place or job where I will be spending the rest of my life. With a smile on my face and no regrets. 

Photo Credits to the owner

Current Sunscreens ☀️

Don't get me wrong as I am still advocating for minimalist and frugal lifestyle. This kind of lifestyle meaning you will consume less as you will need less products. You will only be sticking to the basics in life. And so then if I am aiming for that kind of lifestyle why the heck do I have 4 sunscreens at the same time? Well because (1) time and experiences has proven to me that a sunscreen is the best anti ageing one could use and (2) Asian skin especially Filipinos with brown skin as we grow old our main skin concern would be having uneven skin tone. I cannot turn back the time and make the sun spots on my face go away but then I can now prevent them in spreading. Also to other parts of my body. (3) I'm trying different brands to see which one will suite me perfectly depending on my needs. So here are my current sunscreens and my mini review.

📍 Loreal UV Perfect PA+++ ~ I got this last year when I was still in the hoarding phase of my life. I do not even know back then that it is a sunscreen. I only realized later. I'm trying to think of something negative about it but I can't think of any, except that it is not waterproof. This is especially made for Asians and manufactured in Indonesia. I believe that in other parts of Asia they have it in waterproof version. There are at least 5 variants but only 1 made it to the UAE market. No idea if they plan on bringing in the others. I will continue the good points of it next.

 

📍 Loreal UV Perfect PA++++ ~ My other Loreal sunscreen was about to finish and so when I was doing a grocery at Safeer Hypermarket a day after Christmas I saw this one and this is the new version so I bought it. Now the good points of Loreal UV Perfect: First it is available in my area I just need to cross the street. Second this is the cheapest. Actually if you are in Safeer Hypermarket you will notice that this is the only brand of sunscreen they have. The amount is no more than 50AED and if may still be expensive but if you will compare it to other brands in the UAE market then you could say that so far this is the most affordable. No white cast. Not greasy. Sinks in to the skin easily. Compatible with all the other skin products and make up that I am using.

 

📍 La Roche Posay Anthelios Cream ~ The most expensive sunscreen I own. I don't think I will repurchase any sunscreen from this line anytime soon. This is the thickest of them all. It is slightly greasy if compared to Loreal UV Perfect and Muji. It sinks to skin easily but then it has a tendency to ball up. It is not compatible with some skin care products I am using as well as make up. So I'm just using it for my neck and the rest of my body. And before I forget to mention this is waterproof. Perfect for swimming. As when you go on swimming you will not need make up and other skin care products on the face. 

 

📍 Shiseido Senka Mineral Water UV ~ This is the most affordable sunscreen I got if you will not include the shipping fee. I bought it online from Desert Cart. This is the lightest of them all. Just like a milk. And this waterproof as well. Loreal 2016 may have a higher PA than this but I like it better as it gives off a matte finish. And faster to sink in than Loreal that I can apply immediately my moisturizer and makeup.

 

I am bringing them all with me so I can reapply through out the day. And I don't mind bringing them all since they are all light. I would have wanted to rant more about the sunscreens in the UAE market but then that would be for some other time as I have to go now. Ciao!

Artsy 2 💕

Eyeshadow Photos 💄

I am not exactly a make up junkie. But I wear make up once in a while. Now the problem with me is when I wear a make up I am not much interested to wear it again the next time around. So as an end result I have quite a lot of make up and they are all used once or twice only. Next month I will start decluttering my make up but as I do that I will be posting them. Well they are not make up reviews but mementos for me. 

Purpose of the photos? I am using the Sony Alpha 6000 and it is such a good camera. But the downside is even if I am using Auto Mode I still suck. Photo above was taken using iPhone. What I like about iPhone camera is I can take photos close up even though I do now know why the photos won't be in the middle alignment. Photo below was taken using the Sony camera. I prefer the photo below but I find it hard to take a close up photo of the product. When it comes to photography it still frustrates me even after 5 years of taking photos.

'Photography is the story I fail to put into words' - Anon

Make Up Routine 📍

Like a broken record, I repeatedly say that I will turn my back on make up for so many reasons. But here I am still using make up. Not because I want to but because I have too. The end result of my greed, ignorance and stupidity in the past. These are purchased back in 2014 and 2015 then kept in the drawer. Except the Essence black eyeliner which I purchased sometime in August to try out. Started using them this year only when I decided to do a full 'Pan Project' in all the cosmetics I own. And start my journey to a minimalist and frugal life.

📍 Missha Fitting Wear Pore Cover Primer

📍 Missha Undereye Brightener

📍 Essence 2 in 1 Eyeliner and Eyeshadow

📍 Bourjois Blush Exclusif

📍 Essence Soo Glow Highlighter

📍 HM Cream Eyeshadow

📍 Holika Holika Pro Beauty Pencil Tint

 

'If you are going to wear makeup, try not to look like you have been gangbanged by a box of crayons' (joke)

Artsy 1 💕

Goodbye #42: To another Daiso Product 🇯🇵

Unfortunately I forgot what it is called but it is a product meant for facial wash to be extremely foamy. This is a great product from Daiso but then it is not for me as I do not have that much time whether in the morning or in the evening during my shower time. In fact everyday of my life I always feel that I am running after time. Having too many clutter is one of the reasons why I do not have much time in the world. I purchased this last year when I was still doing Daiso Hauls. But then it has been in my drawer for more than a year. Unused. Untouched. So now it is time for it to go. It may just be a little item but doing it everyday for the last 6 months and will be doing it for 6 months more. I will definitely achieve my goal in life of owning less earthly possessions. 

'If you wanna fly, you got to give up that shit that weighs you down' - Anon

Goodbye #41: Vincci Red Shoes 👠

I bought this shoes back in 2009 for just a very shallow reason: I wanted to have a red shoes. And the heels I think is around 5 inches. It would have been great if I am partying or clubbing but I do not do both. I'm just a regular Jane who has a lot of errands during weekends. And this kind of shoes does not fit with my weekend errands that requires a lot of walking and standing up. As an end result I used it for only a few times. Hesitated a lot if I will give it away or not. Finally I am letting it go now. Straight to the garbage bin. I am still a long way to go into having that ideal place. But at least I know I will get there as this is just another one clutter down.

Lesson Learned: If in the past I only purchased the things I really need and not just want, maybe today I will not be where I am. Instead I will be out of the country. Enjoying a new place. As I would rather travel and see the world. Than collect things that will not matter after a few years. Yes I know now how I wasted a lot of money in the past.

Purging..

For the month of December I have taken 2 days annual leave. I would have taken more but then the down side would be the back log I will be facing at the office. You know the usual end of the month and end of the year reports. I will try to take at least 2 days leave again next month. Inshallah. Well I spent the 2 days of leave at home. Uncluttering.

 

Successfully emptied out at least 2 drawers in the kitchen. Having drawers or cupboards in the kitchen is good so you can store all your stuff. But the downside is no matter how you clean it there will always be cockroaches. Having a stuff or item in the kitchen cabinet no matter how small it is, is an opportunity for them to hide. So better not put anything in the drawers at all. Thrown away little things that I no longer use. Like scissors and utensils. There are still too much needed to be done in the kitchen but it has to wait until my next leave again.

 

My current earthly possessions consist of clothes, shoes, bags and cosmetics. Someone said that for you to be able to downsize is to take them all on the floor and really count them. I tried but then my time was not enough. I do not have before and after photos to share. Well I may have taken some photos which I could no longer find. But then I am proud of what I achieved so far. It does not meet my goal yet but the place is better than before. And even though I do not know yet when will I purge again I already have a mental list of things I will let go of. For example: December to January is supposed to be winter in the UAE and whatever winter clothes I wont be able to wear during this time has to go. Whatever items I will not be able to use within 2 months has to go.

 

PHOTO from Pinterest

Monochrome Series 30

Matcha Ice Cream 🇯🇵

It has been more than a year since the last time I visited Dean's Fujiya in Dubai. I was not planning to visit again but I was able to by chance. I did not let the chance pass to purchase and taste this Matcha Ice Cream or just simply Green Tea Ice Cream. Totally recommended. I just do not have any other photos aside from this. 

You can take the girl out of Asia, but you can't take Asia out of the girl. I had been in Middle East for the last 10 years but I still crave and eat Asian food. Even my skin care are mainly from Asia. 

Goodbye #40: Daiso Face Scrub 🎌

I am writing it down while I am in the midst of all my clutter. And honestly I always thought that scent is usually the source of my migraines. I was wrong. Clutter is also one of the reasons why I am having migraines. Since yesterday my head was pounding a bit. Just by looking at the mess in the flat. I was seriously getting rid of an item per day since June but after 6 months, still it was not yet enough. I do not know anymore how much do I really own? For today I am bidding farewell to this Daiso Face Scrub. Not sure if I got the name correctly as I have thrown away the packaging it comes with in. But it is a scrub or loofah for the face. I never got around into using it as I am completely fine using my hands when applying the facial foam on my face. That's all for today. As I continue sorting out my mess. As well as taking photos of them. Ciao!

Lesson Learned: If you own less then the less you have to clean. The less you have to clean the more time you have in doing other things. Right now I could be just lying down and catching up on my favorite TV series. But since I stupidly hoarded in the past here I am endlessly cleaning and decluttering. 

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Goodbye#39: Violet Ramarim 👡

Some of you might be still celebrating Christmas. While some are at work. As of me I have taken a leave. But it does not mean that I spent the Christmas day lying in bed or having fun. Instead I used the leave to clean the house and do some uncluttering again. It will take me 6 more months to finish purging. But no complaints as it is my fault. With my years of mindless hoarding. Well saying goodbye to this violet Ramarim slippers. Ramarim for those who does not know is a Brazilian brand of footwear. And I am throwing this out because I don't know where is the other half. I am living in a very cluttered space that it is easy for me to lose something and never find it again.

'The less I needed, the better I felt' - Charles Bukowski

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Morning Skin Care Routine 🌝

 💕 Point Cleansing Foam
 💕 Skinfood Peach Sake Pore Serum
 💕 Loreal Anti Ageing Serum
 💕 The Face Shop Calendulla Serum
 💕 La Roche Posay Anthelios Cream Sunscreen
 💕 Daiso BB Cream
Point Cleansing Foam is not in the photo but I included it in the list to state that it is a must to clean first the face with facial cleanser and water before anything else. And I wear make up only once in a blue moon.

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Monochrome Series 26

60 Things To Toss Out

PHOTO Credits to the owner

'Minimalism is not the lack of something. It's simply the perfect amount of something.' - Nicholas Burroughs

Konmari Method

Photo credits to the owner

'Minimalism is not subtraction for the sake of subtraction. Minimalism is subtraction for the sake of focus' - Anonymous

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Empty Tube 81: Une Breezy Cheeks Blush B06🌸

Une Breezy Cheeks B06
It been more than a year since I purchased this Une blush which I love and used up to the last bit and so here it is for my 'Pan Project' post. Une is a French brand of drugstore cosmetics and as per their claim, their products are organic. In the UAE (not sure if until now) it is available in selected branches of Centrepoint. I got mine from Mirdif City Centre branch in whopping 79.25AED during sale. [Sure in some parts of the world there could be as equally good in lower price but those brands would never make it here. I don't know somebody out there decided that UAE will only get the expensive brands.]

I was about to say a lot of things about it but I was interrupted and lost all the thoughts. Anyway it is my first ever make up that I was able to finish like this. I'm recording the Empty Bottles I am finishing and posting them over here. All the Empty Posts I have are all about skin care and toiletries. So yeah this is basically my first make up empty post. As I don't wear make up often. Even though I have a lot which I will be purging soon, that is if I will have the time.

So what else can I share about this? When it comes to price it falls into the category of expensive. When it comes to availability it is hard as it is available only in Dubai. Seems like they do not know that Ajman also exists so they are free to add more brands/products in Ajman City Centre. Haha. I love Une because the colors are neutrals. Good for everyday look. Good for the office. It is like skin's natural color. And since it is a cream I do not need a brush. I can apply it using my fingers. Which saves time in the morning. Who has a lot of time in the morning anyway. Takes only a few seconds in applying and you are good to go.

Photo of the back of the product for this who wants to know the other information. But honestly there's nothing more to it except the ingredients. Well as I have stated above they boast it to be made of all natural ingredients. And that will be all for now. I still have other blushers I'm trying to finish. 2015 was the last time I purchased blushers but I got a little excited and got myself way too many. That I don't have a choice but to use them or throw them out. And that's all for the 81st product for my 'Pan Project'

'Blush to highlight my incredible cheekbones' ~ Anonymous

Goodbye #38: Books 👋🏽

When I was young I read a lot of books. Back then I don't have a smartphone. No tablet. No laptop. No Wi-Fi. So reading books was my sole entertainment. Now I'm all grown up and working 5 times a week. While the weekends are for errands. I find myself having less time to read. These books are in my drawer/closet for the last 7 years. I started reading them but never gotten around into finishing them. So now they have to go. Yes I love the smell of books. Yes I know someday I will have time to read again.

But my current life is ~ I am living in a tiny space. So minimalism is a must. The less items I own, the less time for cleaning I need. So sadly I had to get rid of the books as part of my de-cluttering my life and house project. In the current world of consumerism it is easy to get lost inside your own house when you have far too many items that turns into clutter. To save space I collected e-books instead of physical books. Clutter can be so tiring. Especially if you have to clean the small house thoroughly after the whole day of working in a battlefield. I call office as battlefield.

Empty Tube 80: Daiso Sumi Charcoal Hair Treatment 🌸

I purchased Daiso Charcoal Hair Treatment back in 2015 when I was still hoarding far too many products. And even making Daiso Hauls over the weekend at Lamcy Plaza. Back then I bought Sumi Charcoal Hair Treatment out of curiosity. Not because I like it or I have an idea how to use it. I am simply interested as it was the first time that I have seen it. And I happen to have high regards when it comes to Japanese beauty products.

I got it for only 7.00AED per sachet. I have seen it only at Lamcy Plaza but not in any other Daiso branches across the UAE. And after I purchased all their Sumi Charcoal Hair Treatment I don't think they replenish this again. Charcoal is actually good in cleansing the skin. And honestly this surprised me as I did not know about this before. But in spite of this new knowledge I'm not so keen or excited into purchasing another charcoal hair product again ever.

I took at photo of the back for those who are interested. Well this is some sort of conditioner that you will use after shampooing your hair. It does not lather up. I am not sure if it is supposed to be that way. So I am not sure if it is really doing something good in my hair. The color is black but it doesn't stain. And I cannot remember or think of anything else to describe it.

 

I have an extremely thick hair and most are turning to white so my concern all the time is making sure it is straight, as straight hair is giving the illusion of having a thin hair. So as far as cleaning and maintaining my hair any shampoo will do just fine. Good old Cream Silk takes care of conditioning my hair. That I don't need too much hair products. Just a once a year rebonding and monthly touch up of hair color to cover the white streaks.

 

2016 ~ I still purchase items from Daiso every now and then. But I do not hoard anymore. I repeat I do not hoard anymore. And besides gone are the days of Daiso being the most affordable when it comes to beauty products. They seem to hate that title that whatever good beauty products they have in the UAE must be priced higher than 7AED. Will share those purchases as soon as I get the time.

 

'You're never fully dressed without great hair'

Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Sugar Scrub 💕

I am still doing my Pan Project. Initially I thought it will be over by end of this year. But I was wrong. Didn't know the extent of my hoarded products from the last 2 years. But even if I am currently on my Pan Project I still buy items every now and then. Meaning I am not totally into No Buy Ban. More of No More Hoarding. First week of October 2016 Bath and Body Works offered promotion for Buy 3, Take 3. I took the chance to get myself all the variants of Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Sugar Scrub. Before going for vacation I have seen body scrubs as 'luho' or in English something excessive that I don't really need in life. But a month without body scrubs resulted into me having bumps all over my body. I got my normal skin back because as soon as I landed in UAE I started using body scrubs again. So yes I don't consider this a 'luho' anymore. It has become part of my essentials.

Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Scrub ingredients I would say are very basic. Just big granules of brown sugar and lots of oil with great aroma. But its simplicity is what made me stick to this brand. Big granules of sugar dissolves instantly on the skin. Does not hurt. While the oil keeps my skin moisturized so no need for me to apply body butter. While the aroma soothes me. I mean I don't actually enjoy waking up early in the morning to take a bath and go to work. Not that I'm lazy I'm just not a morning person. So great smelling shower essentials somehow helps me to be in a good mood. Aside from the coffee of course. I do not know what are the criteria of other people when it comes to body scrub but for me this is completely okay.

I consume one tub for 3 weeks as I am using it on daily basis. As of the price the 60AED per tub is the normal price even of other brands in the UAE. So I really waited for the Bath and Body Works Sale before purchasing. As of this writing I only have 3 tubs remaining. Which would last up to almost 3 months. Hence if I will see them on sale again I would not mind buying again. I don't see this as clutter or hoarding anymore. As they are stacked neatly in the bathroom. Ideal would be having only one tub at one time in the bathroom if I were to be extreme minimalist and saving space. But then that would mean I have to buy every month that would cost me on a regular price of 60AED so you see I love the idea of minimalism and all but there are also exceptions to the rule. The only time I will not stock up is when I am travelling or on vacation. As you can see in the last photo there are 8 tubs. The last 2 are gift from a friend as when I came back to UAE my skin was in a not so good condition. I managed to finish those 2 tubs in just 5 weeks.

So basically the purpose of this post is to let you guys know that this body scrub is available in UAE. And often times you'll find it on sale. Seems that the sale of Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy is happening every 3 months. The only products from their line that I haven't tried yet are the pillow mist, body mist, bath cream and some body wash. Not really my priority though just saying.

 

Beauty is being the best possible version of yourself on the inside and out ~ Anonymous

Empty Tube 79: iWhite Nose Pack 🌸

Ever since I had been cleaning my face with soap and water. Enter puberty and my T zone and chin became so oily that I always have white heads on them. Well not really on my forehead though more on my nose and chin. I don't mind and I don't look much into the mirror anyway. But people around me do. Mother would always scold me to use a face towel. As if I was not cleaning my face well. Classmates would tell me that I have nasty white heads on the nose and I don't know for what? Maybe it was not pleasing to their eyes? But years had passed that I did not really do anything. What can I do anyway? Aside from cleaning my face? Even when I'm all grown up and finally landed here in UAE. But the difference when I was in the Philippines and when I landed in UAE was my chin became less oily therefore no more white heads on my chin.

But it is a different story on my nose. It is still the same just like the time I was on my teens. I would not mind having white heads on my nose forever but I am already working. I am an employee of one of the biggest companies in the country. And I am working in reception. And so I have to mind the white heads. In the process I had become obsessed in finding a solution to banish them for good. That being said I experimented a lot. I am even documenting the products I used to see if they even have any effects on the oiliness of my nose and its relation to the white heads. I used and still using different brands of facial wash and facial cleanser. I even went beyond the normal cleansing of my face. Tried the South Korean skin care regime. Tried the Japanese skin care regime. But sadly white heads is something designed by the universe that human can't really fight back. The only thing I can do is sort of slow them down. Been using nose strips for years now. But then there was a point in time that I got tired too.

I looked around in the market for all the possible products that promises to make the nose better. Oil control products. As less oil means less white heads too. Products that promises to make the pores small as if that thing is really possible. Products that promises to unclog the pores in the nose. And a whole lot more. Unfortunately those products I tried did not really satisfy me. No product can work a 100% it only proves that there are things we human beings cannot defy. Anyway moving on, one of the products I tried is called iWhite Nose Pack. It is a South Korean brand of skin care and widely available in the Philippines. I bought some back in 2014 when I visited Manila. I bought it for only 189.00PHP per tube. I have chosen it because it is safe to use for at least 4 times a week.

The problem with nose strip is it is not allowed to be used more than 2 times per week because in doing so it will make the nose dry. And when the nose is dry the nose will have to secretes more oil than ever. More oil then more white heads which defies the purpose of nose strip. So I think using another nose product like iWhite Nose Pack will lessen the white heads more than ever without the risk of making nose produce more oil. Am I making sense? As I'm not good with words and terms. In took me a while to get a hang of it I mean it has taken me time to make it work properly. Too much thick and it wont work the same thing that if it is too much thin when applied wont work either. If there is too much oil and/or dirt in my nose it will not also work that I have to clean the nose thoroughly first before using iWhite Nose Pack. It is advisable to wash face with water and facial wash. Or at least use a facial toner first. Or use product like Daiso Peeling Gel. But for sure you get the idea. iWhite Nose Pack works well if the nose is clean and applied the product properly.

This is already my 3rd or 4th tube of iWhite Nose Pack. Honestly? This is not yet and will never be the solution for the white heads as there is no product created yet that can make them go away for good. But it helps a lot in lessening them. Because what is happening is even after using the nose strip you can still see some white heads are still on the nose. And it is not advisable to use another nose strip again but it is safe to use iWhite Nose Pack immediately after the nose strip. Are you following me? Sure there will still see some white heads on the nose left but at least that will be a small percentage. And if I were to compare iWhite Nose Pack to other brands available in the market I'd say this one is affordable than the others. And it works as opposed to others. But as this point I can't say if I will repurchase. I still have at least 3 tubes at home if I'm not mistaken as well as other brands of nose pack.

And that's my mini review or feedback regarding the iWhite Nose Pack. If you have white heads on the nose just like me go ahead and use it but just don't expect it to remove them all hundred percent. And I don't think you will find a product that will do so. Do not rely solely on this too just like I do. I'm still using nose strip at the same time or in between. As of the Empty Bottle Posts like this one this is one of my ways in my journey to minimalism. A minimalist person owns only a few possessions in life that really matters. Without any clutter. Discarding clothing and others are far more easier but with skin care products (and make up) it is taking time. As my mistake in the past I bought too many to the point of hoarding. I wish it will be over by the end of this year. Or at least before all the products expire.

'The greatest step towards a life of simplicity is to learn to let go' ~ Steve Maraboli